Gift of Life is pleased to announce its newest initiative. This past August at the inaugural Ambassadors' committee meeting in New York City, it was decided the organization needed to be more visible in local communities and the best way to do this is by creating chapters. Each chapter would be charged with raising awareness and educating people in their hometowns about the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation.   The chapter concept is not unusual as many national organizations use this method to expand their mission and stay connected to people on a regional level. They use the chapter approach to inform, inspire and motivate others to join their organization. Many also use chapters as a way to increase financial support so that they can grow the organization. Executive Director, Jay Feinberg was quoted as saying, "The realization of the chapter model is a very exciting endeavor to me. It takes the Ambassador Program to a new level by allowing our volunteers to reach out not only to their friends and neighbors, but to create communities of people who are fully informed about the importance and outreaching effects of what Gift of Life does every day."

The Central New Jersey chapter had its first meeting on February 18 at the Rutgers Hillel in New Brunswick.   Ambassadors from Middlesex, Monmouth, Mercer, Ocean, Somerset and Union Counties were invited to the meeting to begin planning its agenda for the coming months. Under the leadership of Mel Cohen, a transplant recipient whose donor came from the Gift of Life registry, the new chapter will be reaching out to synagogues, schools and other community groups by offering to arrange public speaking engagements, to set up recruitment drives and to organize fundraising activities. In his opening remarks Mel said, “This effort is a result of a need to strengthen Gift of Life’s visibility in local communities and to create a connection between Gift of Life and community organizations.” Everyone attending the meeting agreed his/her most critical responsibility will be to use his/her influence in their local neighborhood and sphere of influence to spread the word about Gift of Life. Over the next few weeks, committee members will be contacting their local synagogues and temples, schools and community organizations to solicit interest in a Gift of Life speaker and to consider hosting a drive.   Mel Cohen was very pleased with the meeting and the men and women who attended stating, “The group is enthusiastic, motivated and ready to go to work”. Attending the meeting were Sandy Cohen, Andrew Cunningham, Howard Raske, Jeanie Schulman, Ken Strauss, Eric Wallenstein and Edward Zohn. Also on the committee are Jake Mehani, Isaac Ravitz, Monica Reiss, Jessica Ruff, Sam Stein, Ellen Teller and Stephanie Tyson. The chapter will meet again Thursday evening, April 22. Anyone interested in being a part of this exciting undertaking, please consider attending the next meeting and having your voice heard.

In addition to the Central New Jersey chapter, a Young Professionals Chapter in the New York City area, under the leadership of Rachel Bobrow and Sam Rosen has been created.  And, on Thursday evening, March 11 the first meeting of the Metropolitan Washington, DC chapter will take place. For more information about any of these groups, contact Susan Greenspan, Ambassador Coordinator, at 561-982-2900 or sgreenspan@giftoflife.org.